This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.

Monday, February 29, 2016

February is just ending and I have already read more books in 2016 than I did in all of 2015. So far this month I have read four and I am almost finished with another. I am breaking up the posts by classifications starting with Business.

I read two business books this month and I am up to three for the year. My educational background is in business so it makes sense that I would try to stay well read on the subject.

The first one was a Christmas gift from my wife. The book was written by rocker Gene Simmons of Kiss fame on the topic of entrepreneurship. The book was called Me, Inc.

I found the book to be an enjoyable read since I like to read biographies of musicians and business books. The target market seamed to be a bit younger than me.

My next business book was on management. This book had a unique perspective too! The perspective from the bible.

I enjoyed Myron Rush's book Management: A Biblical Approach and I found it was a great follow up to the business book I read in January by James C. Hunter. It is neat how books fit like that at times. As I try to meet my Goodreads Challenge of 26 books this year I will probably read a few more business books. My next segment on February reads will feature classics so stay tuned.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Wayne Toups won my battle of the bands convincingly 11-4. A few of you thought Wayne Toups was more authentic perhaps because of the more Zydeco sound. Ironically Tab's version featured many of the members of LeRoux the band who originally did the song. Wasn't my intent but it was the only studio recording I could find.

Wayne Toups is an Award Winning artist. His Battle of the Bands victory certainly highlights a career with a Grammy Award, Gulf Coast Hall of Fame, Louisiana Hall of Fame, Cajun French Hall of Fame, and a few Offbeat Magazine Awards.

His accordion skills have been featured on Country megahits like Mark Chestnut's "It Sure is Monday" and Alan Jackson's "Little Bitty."

Here he is with "Take My Hand"....

"Please Explain"

The Battle was fun I got to share a song I like and you all got to vote on which one you liked best. I'll be thinking up a new battle for March 1st. In between feel free to drop in and see what else I might be blogging about.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

I was searching for something to blog about today. I decided to search today's date February 18 in Black History since it is Black History Month. That's when I discovered Shani Davis a speed skater from Chicago.

On this date in 2006 he did something that no other Black athlete had ever done! Needless to say he was the first African American. As an American I am sure I was proud of his contribution to our medal count, the Speed Skater also won a Silver Medal in the 2006 Games.

Just 10 years ago Shani Davis made Black History. I hope he did could inspire others that they could make history in the future. Perhaps someone else could be the first in another event certainly someone will be next.

What Shani Davis did at the next Winter Olympics made history too! Yes he would Black Athlete to do his next feat. He became the first man of any race to successfully defend a Gold Medal in the 1000 meters race. He also earned another Silver in the 1500.

Shani Davis is a great American Olympian and perhaps his story might inspire you to go for the Gold!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

It was reported yesterday that Michael Jordan's net worth had reached the billion dollar mark. Today he turns 53 I suppose that is a great way to celebrate! Jordan rose to fame due to his basketball talents.

Ten of his top plays...

His Hall of Fame showcases his competitive nature..

Player, championships, endorsement magnet, to owner his career has been achievement after achievement. We wish him a Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Back in Mid July of 2014 I kicked off my first Battle of the Bands with The Rolling Stones Dead Flowers pitting Townes Van Zandt against Samantha Fish. They tied and the ones got more vote for the win.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Valentine's Day just passed so I thought for this Battle of the Bands I would bring out things that I love. This one actually came to me before the 15th and isn't a result of somebody passing away. The song has been around for a long time, I just discovered it a couple of years ago and a few miles southwest of New Orleans. I discovered it at a festival I loved which supported a cause I love. I also loved the musicians performing. Enough with the love fest an let the battle begin!

The rules are simple I pick a song and present a couple of bands battling it out with the song. You pick the one you like best by casting your vote in the comments. Why you voted the way you did and other comments are always welcomed.

I hope you enjoyed the song selection. Thanks for letting me share a few of my favorite things of late. Vote for the cover you like best in the comments! I'll be back with a follow up post in about a week with the results.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

It is not every day that the death of a waiter is a trending topic on facebook. Not everyday that a waiter's death makes headlines if only locally in a major city. The news hits you a little different hen you realize you have been to the restaurant and you have seen the waiter in action. Hits you a little more when you remember Marvin Day announcing the word of the day and knowing you received a fist bump from the man.

(Picture from Wikiedia)

Like the picture above I remember waiting inline to eat at The Camellia Grill in New Orleans. It was well worth the wait for a fabulous omelet. I was amazed that the waiters would just call out the orders. That amazed me as they were busy but nothing was written down and the orders all came out perfect.

Mr. Day wasn't our waiter but I do remember him walking through sharing the word and fist bumps. The wait staff was very energetic.

I'm sure the regulars miss Marvin Day. I'm certain he was something special in lives he had developed relationships with. I'm glad our paths crossed.

The City of New Orleans mourns him, the staff at The Camellia Grill certainly miss him and I am sure his family and friends miss him as well.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Mardi Gras came and went with Fat Tuesdays finale. So my question today is what are you giving up for Lent?

My first year in Florida I gave up winter coats. Last year I gave up soda but I cheated a little bit because I had already given up soda in January. One year I gave up fast food except for two restaurants. That did not go over well with my family because the restaurants that I selected were not their favorites. Having a family you need to consider The effect of what you're giving up on them.

This year I decided to give up hamburgers. Not ground beef but just regular hamburgers. It may be a challenge because they are going to open a five guys near me. Also a local burger place is planning to open up a new restaurant near me as well. And then I suppose the challenges are supposed to be a little tough.

Feel free to share what you're getting up in the comments. I will be back soon with a new post. Until then thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Cam Newton is taking a lot of heat about the Super Bowl. Certainly one could criticize him for not diving after the fumble but perhaps he lost track of the ball. Maybe he felt it was too late to dive in after it.

He is taking even more heat about walking out on the press conference after the game. Obviously he didn't want to be there but the NFL requires it. First it is disrespectful for the interview to take place where he can hear interviews from other players on the other team. Trust me there is plenty of space under the stadium top prevent that.

He didn't say he wanted to go to a strip club or drink a lot of beers. He did say they were outplayed. He was upset he had a bad game, his team lost, and it was on the biggest stage. You want a player who is upset in that situation. The interview questions weren't great, he said they were outplayed and he left. It is better to do that then say something emotionally that wouldn't be very nice. Rip him for that all you want but I think he may have done the right thing.

No he wasn't dabbing, dancing or celebrating. The Denver Broncos defense took care of that. If a team doesn't want to see him do that be like the Broncos and stop him. Manning had an awful game too. However his team won.

I like that Cam Newton has fun win he wins or makes big plays. The NFL is big business but it is a game! He doesn't like losing. He is upset when he does. That is understandable. Do the interview in a better setting. Journalists when the interview is ended or going nowhere end the interview.

Cam Newton is a new generation player. He brings excitement. I love that he gives the footballs to young fans. He is involved in lots of charities. Maybe he could have handled the loss with more class but maybe the press could have handled him with more class. There is always another perspective.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Today is Bob Marley's birthday is reason enough to celebrate his birthday. If you are reading this from a colder climate the tropical vibrations of his music might warm you up. It would be appropriate to celebrate his music and legacy as part of Black History month. I enjoy his positive music, it is music I can share with my child without having to worry about lyrics on most songs. He could write spiritual, political, and songs with so much meaning. I could go on but really his music speaks volumes!"

"Is This Love"

"One Love"

"Could You Be Loved"

I kept the theme of love on the songs. One I love his music. It is February and Valentine's Day is around the corner and love will be on the minds of many. Marley's music also reminds of the different types of loves and love for different things. I hope you enjoyed these positive vibrations and I will have another post soon!

Friday, February 5, 2016

Maurice White the founder of Earth, Wind and Fire has passed away. The 7 time Grammy Award winning musician was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.

White was 74 and suffered from Parkinson's disease. He will be missed by family, band members and fans. We will celebrate his legacy with songs.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

I stated in my New Year's Blog that I wanted to read more. As a way of keeping up with how I am doing on my quest I thought I would blog about it as I go. I'm an insecure reader. I never think I am well read, have read enough and the list could go on. Some of that might be from those darn lists I stumble on facebook. The truth is who cares!

I'm a horrible reader. I am not talking about my reading ability, my reading level, or comprehension. As a reader I am horrible. I will start a book and misplace it or get distracted and never come back and finish the book. I'm also a feat or famine type reader who has been known to binge read from time to time. I'm much better at buying books than reading them.
Well I set a goal of reading 26 books this year on Goodreads. I guess I had to set the bar slightly higher than 2 books a month or I was thinking of trying to pace myself by reading a book every two weeks.

The Word for World is Forest is the first book I read this year. It was a thrift store find. I loved it being an old book more than the content. It was so old it even had cigarette advertisements in it. The book, a novella I suppose, was a science fiction work written by Ursula K. Le Guin. It won the 1976 Hugo Award for best science fiction novella. The U.S. Library of Congress named her a living legend and she has earned a bunch of other awards. The book did have some messages about humanity that I did catch. It was a good read.

My next book was "The World's Most Powerful Leadership Principle: How to Become a Servant Leader" by James C. Hunter. I have read a few books on leadership and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It caught my attention and I really enjoyed reading it. The substance was great. I also enjoyed how he listed other books and authors though out the book. Not all of them were on leadership, some where on sociology, psychology and business which I jotted down to add to my want to read books. I will certainly seek out some of his other books to read as well.

Book covers...

I've dug in and started reading some more books in February so I should have an update soon on what else I have read. Until then happy reading!

Monday, February 1, 2016

Welcome to Battle of the Bands today's battle of the band is a tribute to Glenn Frey. Hopefully this moth fewer classic rockers will pass away.

The rules are simple I pick a song and present a couple of bands battling it out with the song. You pick the one you like best by casting your vote in the comments. Why you voted the way you did and other comments are always welcomed.

"Don't your feet get cold in the wintertimeThe sky won't snow and the sun won't shineIt's hard to tell the nighttime from the day"

I love this song! Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh are probably my favorite members of the Eagles. So, I am going to indulge myself and break some rules this time around. I am going to have three contestants because one is a live version and the song is relatively short.

Contestant One: Miranda Lambert

Contestant Two: Linda Ronstadt

Contestant Three: Karen Carpenter

One tribute, three versions in honor of Glenn Frey. I choose three females because the song originally done by the Eagles had the male vocals already. Vote for the version you like best in the comments. I will be back soon with the results. Please visit the other participants as well.

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